Scraper



Dec. 15, 1936. E. B. MALOON SCRAPER ATTORNEY Dec. 15, 1936. E. B. MALOON SCRAPER Filed Feb. 8, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

2M 15, 1936., E. B. MALOON SCRAPER Filed Feb. 8, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 15, 1936 SORAIEB Earl B. Maloon, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to The Hell 00., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application February 8, 1936, Serial No. 62,924

The present invention relates in general to improvements in the so-called art of moving dirt, and relates more specifically to various improvements in the construction and operation of mechanical power-actuated scrapers for digging,

leveling and transporting ground.

Generally defined, an object of the present invention is the provision, of an improved scraper assemblage of large capacity, which is simple and durable in construction, and which is also highly eificient in operation.

Many different types of mechanical poweractuated scrapers have heretofore been proposed and placed upon the market, but all of these a prior devices are faulty for one or more reasons.

The requirements in the dirt handling art are extremely varied and extensive, and unless a single scraper is adapted to meet all of these requirements, it is not a commercially satisfactory machine. For example, some of the prior scraper mechanisms will operate in a relatively satisfactory manner on one kind of soil, but will not handle other soils having different characteristics. Then, too, many of the prior scrapers are not adapted to transport predetermined. loads of material from one place to another, and some of the prior dirt carrying scrapers are not capable of properly distributing or leveling the batches of dirt during the unloading operation. Aside from the above defects, some of the prior scraper assemblages are not adapted to be loaded from above with the aid of a steam shovel or the like, or they cannot be loaded above the top of the bowl at all, because of obstructing mechanism or elements disposed above the latter; and most of theprior power-actuated scraper mechanisms are not sufflciently durable and are also too complicated to withstand the strenuous service ordinarily demanded from this type of devices. The use of most of the prior scrapers also necessitates utilization of several auxiliary machines, such as bulldozers and trail-builders, thereby compelling the operators and contractors to furnish several costly machines and put-' ting them to expense which might be avoided if g can be utilized to effectively perform various dirt handling operations on any kind of soil.

12 Claims. 0 (Cl. 37-126) Another specific object of the present invention is the provision of improved mechanism for effecting loading and unloading of a scraper, rapidly and in a most effective manner.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide anew and useful mechanical power-- actuated scraper of simplified construction and of enormous capacity, which besides eflectively functioning as a ripper and leveler, is also adapted to be utilized as a vehicle for transporting charges of earth or the like.

Still another specific object of the invention is the provision of a rugged scraper assemblage involving the principle of an ordinary clam-shell bucket mounted on wheels and capable of being advanced either forwardly or-rearwardly while performing its scraping and grading functions.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved scraper bowl assembly having dirt leveling and carrying elements of large capacity conveniently operable from a remote station such as the driver's seat of a propelling tractor or engine, and which is unobstructed from above.

A further specific object of my invention is the provision of a scraper, the various elements of which are operable by means of fluid pressure actuated jack mechanisms of simple, dependable and durable construction, thus assuring continued operation of the device at minimum cost to the user.

Still another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved dirt handling and moving unit of neat appearance and of durable and compact construction, which can be loaded from below or above and which will effectively handle various kinds of soil without necessitating changes in the construction of the unit. Y

An additional specific object of the invention is the provision of an improved scraping and grading unit which may be manufactured and operated at minimum cost so as to reduce to a minimum the cost per cubic yard handled.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description. v

A clear conception of embodiments of the several features constituting the present invention and of the mode of constructing and of manipulating .dirt moving devices built in accordance with the improvement, maybe had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in I the various views.

Fig. 1 is a part sectional side view of one of the improved scraper assemblages showing the same in digging and load receiving position with the front bucket fully elevated;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the scraper unit showing the same immediately after final loading has been effected but prior to complete elevation of the buckets away from the ground, the front bucket having been moved to partially closed position;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a scraper showing the elements in load carrying or transporting position with the front bucket completely closed;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the unit showing the front and rear buckets in charge unloading position;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the improved scraper; and

Fig. 6 is a front view of the machine.

While the invention has been shown and described herein as being specifically applied to a road scraper adapted to level and to transport earth, and having the cooperating bowls hydraulically actuated, it is not desired to unnecessarily restrict the scope by virtue of such specific embodiment, since some of the novel features may be more generally applicable.

With reference to the drawings, the present improved scraper assemblage comprises in general a'main frame 8 mounted to tilt longitudinally about a front universally movable fulcrum 9 and having rearwardly extending spaced side arms I the front ends of which are rigidly interconnected by 'a heavy two-part transverse beam H and the rear upwardly curved ends of which are likewise interconnected by a stiff cross-beam I2; rear and front overlapping buckets or bowls I3, I4 of somewhat similar construction pivotally suspended from the medial portions of the side arms III by means of alined pivots I and having lower cutting edges swingable toward and away from each other; a U-shaped auxiliary frame comprising'outer side arms IS swingably attached at their front ends to the pivots I5, and rigidly interconnected at their downwardly curved rear ends by means of a rear axle beam I'I; rear supporting wheels I8 associated with the axle beam I1 within the normal path of action of the scraper; front supporting wheels I9 providing a support for a draft carriage 20 with which the front fulcrum 9 is movably associated; and fluid pressure actuated jack mechanisms for independently moving the bowls I 3, I 6, and for relatively moving the main and auxiliary frames.

The main frame 8 is of rugged one-piece construction, and the transverse front beam II is preferably formed hollow and is connected with the ball fulcrum 9 by means of a rigid gooseneck. The side arms IO may also be of hollow formation, being rigidly attached to the beams II, I2 by welding or otherwise, and the rear cross-beam I 2 may likewise be of hollow or tubu lar formation and has several sets of rearwardly projecting brackets or ears 2I formed integral therewith. The pivots I5 are preferably of heavy and durable construction; and the rear bowl I3 has parallel opposite side walls 22 which are suspended from the inner ends of the alined pivots I5, while the front bowl II has similar parallel side walls 23 slidably engaging and overlapping the rear bowl walls 22 and coacting with the pivots I5 between the arms I0 and the walls 22. The curved bottom and rear wall of the rear bowl I3 is rigidly attached to the side walls 22 as by welding, and may be reenforced by suitable ribbing; and is furthermore provided with rear ears which carry a pivot 24, and with a reversible cutter 25 at the lower "edge thereof. The similarly but oppositely curved bottom and rear wall of the front bowl I 4 is also rigidly attached to its side walls 23 by welding or otherwise; and is provided with front cars which support a pivot 26, and with a similarly reversible cutter 21 at the lower edge thereof. The cutters 25, 21 are cooperable with each other when the bowl structure is closed, and one or both of these cutters may be provided with removable scarifying teeth 28.

The U-shaped auxiliary frame which comprises the arms I6 and the axle beam I1, is likewise of rugged and durable construction, and the arms I6 may be of hollow or box-section formation and coact with the outer ends of the alined pivots I5. The rear lower ends of the arms I6 are preferably firmly but detachably connected to the opposite ends of the axle beam I1, and this beam may be made up of several sections, so as to permit application and removal of the rear wheels I8. The wheels I8 are disposed within the normal path of action of the scraper blades or cutters 25, 21, and the beam I1 is provided with rearwardly extending sets of flanges or ears which carry pivots 29. The rear wheels I8 cooperate with the front wheels ill to support the scraper, and these wheels may be of any desired type. The draft carriage 20 with which the front wheels I9 are associated, is provided with a coupling 30 for effecting convenient attachment to a propelling vehicle such as a tractor; and the ball fulcrum 9 is detachably mounted within a suitable socket at the rear end of the carriage 20 in such manner as to provide a fifth-wheel connection between these elements. However, besides providing forthe ordinary swiveling movement about a vertical axis or kingpin as in the usual fifth-wheel structure, the fulcrum 9 also provides for relative articulation of the frame 8 and carriage 20 about horizontal axes.

The fluid pressure actuated jack mechanisms for independently swinging the bowls I3, I4, and for moving the auxiliary U-frame to elevate and lower the cutters 25, 21, comprises independently operable hydraulic or pneumatic jack units which are preferably controllable from a remote station such as the operator's seat of the propelling vehicle attached to the coupling 30. The front bowl i4 is adapted to be swung about the alined supporting pivots I5, by means of a single hydraulic jack disposed between the sections of the front cross beam II and midway between the side walls 23, and comprising a cylinder 3| mounted to swing on trunnions 32 carried by the main frame 8, and a piston movable within the cylinder 3| and having a rod 33 attached to the pivot 26 cooperating with the ears at the front of the bowl I 4. The rear bowl I3 is adapted to be swung about the alined supporting pivots I5 by means of a single hydraulic jack disposed midway between the side walls 22, and comprising a cylinder 34 having trunnions 35 pivotally suspended from the central set of ears 2| of the cross-beam I2, and a piston movable within the cylinder 34 and having a rod 36 attached to the pivot 24 which is carried by the ears at the rear of the bowl I 3. The auxiliary rear frame is swingable relative to the main frame 8 about the alined pivots I5 to elevate or lower the cutters by means of mechanism comprising either a single jack, or two similar hydraulic jacks as shown. These jacks are disposed on opposite from within both of the buckets.

sides of the rear bowl actuating cylinder 34, and each jack comprises a cylinder 31 having trunnions 38 pivotally suspended from a set of the ears 2| of the cross-beam l2, and a piston movable within the cylinder 31 and having a r0d39 attached to the corresponding pivot 29 carried by the axle beam ll. All of these hydraulic Jacks are of relatively standard construction and are suspended directly from the main frame well above the ground surface, thereby protecting the mechanisms against possible damage. The jack cylinders 3|, 34, 31 are provided with fluid inlet and exhaust ports .40 at the ends thereof, which may communicate with a control system of the type forming the subject of my prior application Serial No. 50,109, filed November 16, 1935. The manually manipulable valve controlling levers of this system may, as previously indicated, be located upon the propelling vehicle attached to the coupling 30, and the control valves may be connected with the ports 40 by means of conduits and piping extending rearwardly and passing through the hollow frame beams ll, l2 and arms III in order to avoid obstruction while at the same time protecting the piping against possible damage.

During normal digging operation of the present improved scraper, the assemblage is being transported over the ground by a tractor attached'to the coupling 30, and the bowls I3, 14 are positioned substantially as shown in Fig. 1. The teeth 28 and the cutter 25 are being forced through the'ground and the material which is scarifled by these teeth and which is subsequently pried loose by the cutter 25, is forced rearwardly into the bucket or bowl l3 and builds up against the rear wall thereof as indicated in the drawings. This loading operation of the scraper continues until the. rear bowl l3lias.

been completely filled, whereupon the front bowl H may be lowered slightly so as to reduce the gap between the cutters 25, 2! and to permit filling of the front bowl l4, aswell. When both of the bowls l3, l4 have been properly filled, the front bowl H may be moved farther toward the rear bowl l3, and the main' frame 8 may be simultaneously elevated to raise the cutter 25 away from the ground as indicated in Fig. 2. This elevation is effected by causing the piston rods 39 to force the axle beam ll downwardly, and the elevation may be continued until the scraper assemblage has assumed 'the position shown in Fig. 3. The load will then be effectively confined and may be subsequently transported to any desired locality.

When it becomes desirable to unload the scraper, the hydraulic jacks which actuate the bowls 13, Il may be manipulated to swing either or both of the bowls away from each other, depending upon whether the bowls are to be simultaneously or successively unloaded. As shown in Fig. 4, both bowls have been swung away from each other to the extreme position, and the charges are being delivered by gravity If, however, the bowls l3, 14 are successively swung to unloading position, more gradual unloading may be effected. The scraper may be retained in motion during this unloading operation, thereby effectively leveling the material discharged during advancement of the machine. When the un-.

loading operation has been completed, the scraper is again ready for re-loading, which may be effected by merely actuating the cutter lowerin jacks.

it is also to be noted, that when the elements may be utilized'as an ordinary wagon for dirt are in the position shown in Fig. 3, the scraper haulage purposes, the wagori being loadable either from beneath as in Fig. l, or from above with the aidof a steam shovel or the like.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the present improved scraper mechanism may be quickly and conveniently manipulated by an operator positioned upon the propelling vehicle to effect various operations. The hydraulic jack mechanisms are independently operable and may be manipulated to independently swing either of the bowls l3, l4 toward or away from each other, or to elevate orlower the cutter blades 25, 21. While the cutter 25 is ordinarily used for cutting and leveling purposes,

the cutter 21 is also available for such purposes, and these cutters cooperate with each other to effectively confine the load within the bowls l3, l4 when brought into engagement with each other. The scarifying teeth 28 serve as rippers to initially loosen the dirt, and such teeth may be applied to both of the cutters 25, 21 if so desired. The improved scraper is susceptible of being loaded considerably beyond the upper edges of the walls 22, 23, without obstruction, and the overlapping walls, besides preventing possible outward distortion, also serve to effectively confine the charges within the bowls. The unloading is effected primarily by gravity and the jack mechanisms may be utilized to jolt the buckets in case material tends to stick therein, and the bowl structure is simplified by the similar formation of the rear and front sections which substantially simulate an ordinary clamshelLbucket. The improved scraper is obviously extremely simple and rigid in construction, and is capable of being loaded considerably beyond its rated capacity.

It should be understod that it is not desired to limitthe present invention to the exact details ofconstruction and to the precise mode of operation herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim: l

l. A dirt mover comprising, a main frame having a front fulcrum, an auxiliary frame, a pivot connecting a forward portion of said auxiliary frame with a medial portionof said main frame, means for relatively swinging said frames about said pivot to raise and lower the latter, and a pair of cooperating bowls swingably suspended for movement about the axis of said pivot.

2. A dirt mover comprising, a main frame having a front fulcrum, an auxiliary frame, a pivot connecting a forward portion of said auxiliary frame with a medial portion of said main frame, means for relatively swinging said frames about said pivot to raise and lower the latter, and a pair of similar cooperating bowls swingably suspended from said pivot.

3. A dirt mover comprising, a main frame having a front fulcrum and side arms, an auxiliary frame having side arms, alined pivots connecting the forward portions of said auxiliary frame arms with the medial portions of said main frame arms, means for relatively moving said frames to raise and lower said pivots, and a pair of cooperating bowls swingably suspended from said pivots.

4. A dirt mover comprising, a main frame having a front fulcrum, an auxiliary frame, alined pivots connecting the front of said auxiliary frame with the medial portion of saidmain frame, means carried directly by said main frame for relatively swinging said frames to raise and lower said pivots, a pair of cooperating bowls suspended from said pivots, and other means carried directly by said main frame for independently swinging said bowls about said pivots.

5. A dirt mover comprising, a main frame having a front support provided with transporting wheels, an auxiliary frame having rear supporting wheels, alined pivots connecting said frames, a pair of cooperating bowls suspended from said pivots, meansfor moving said bowls toward and away from each other, and means for relatively moving said frames to raise and lower said bowls.

6. A dirt mover comprising, a main frame having a front support provided with transporting Wheels, an auxiliary frame having rear supporting wheels, alined pivots connecting said frames, a pair of cooperating bowls suspended from said pivots, jack means for independently moving said bowls about said pivots, and other jack means for relatively moving said frames about said pivots.

7. A dirt mover comprising, a main frame having a front pivotal support and spaced side arms rigidly interconnected at their front and rear ends, an auxiliary U-shaped frame, pivots connecting said auxiliary frame with the medial portions of said side arms, independently movable bowl sections suspended from said pivots, jack means carried by said main frame for independently actuating said bowl sections, and other jack means also carried by said main frame for relatively moving said frames.

8. A dirt mover comprising, a main frame having front supporting wheels and spaced side arms extending rearwardly from said wheels, an auxiliary frame having rear supporting wheels, pivot means connecting the front of said auxiliary frame with the medial portions of said arms, a rear bowl swingably suspendedfrom said pivot means between said side arms, a front bowl swingably suspended from said pivot means between said side arms and having outer side walls overlapping said rear bowl, means for swinging said bowls, and other means for relatively moving said frames.

9. A dirt mover comprising, a main frame having front supporting wheels and spaced side arms extending rearwardly from said wheels, an auxiliary frame having rear supporting wheels, pivot means connecting the front of said auxiliary frame with the medial portions of said arms, a rear bowl swingably suspended from said pivot means between said side arms, a front bowl'swingably suspended from said pivot means between said side arms and having outer side Walls overlapping said rear bowl and independently functioning jack means for swinging said bowls and for relatively moving said frames about said pivot means.

10. A dirt mover comprising, a main frame having front supporting wheels and spaced side arms extending rearwardly from said wheels, an auxiliary frame having rear supporting wheels, pivot means connecting the front of said auxiliary frame with the medial portions of said arms, a rear bowl swingably suspended from said pivot means between said side arms, a front bowl swingably suspended from said pivot means between said side arms and having outer side walls overlapping said rear bowl, and independently functioning hydraulic jacks suspended from said main frame for swinging said bowls toward and away from each other and for relatively swinging said frames about said pivot means to bodily raise and lower said bowls.

11. A dirt mover comprising, a main frame having a fulcrum and spaced side arms extending away from said fulcrum, alined pivots associated with said side arms, a rear bowl suspended from said pivots between said arms, jack means carried by said frame near corresponding ends of said arms for swinging said rear bowl about said pivots, a front bowl also suspended from said pivots between said arms, other jack means carried by said frame near the opposite ends of said arms for swinging said front bowl about said pivots, and means for raising or lowering said pivots to bodily displace said bowls relative to the ground.

12. A dirt mover comprising, a main frame having a'fulcrum and spaced side arms extending away from said fulcrum, alined pivots associated with said side arms, a rear bowl suspended from said pivots between said arms, jack means carried by said frame near corresponding ends of said arms for swinging said rear bowl about said pivots, a front bowl also suspended from said pivots between said arms, other jack means carried by said frame near the opposite ends of said arms for swinging said front bowl about said pivots, and additional jack means for rais ing and lowering said pivots to bodily displace said bowls relative to the ground.

EARL B. MALOON. 

